Saturday, 10 November 2018

One of the interesting bits of this year's Ableton Loop event (in Los Angeles instead of Berlin) was the 'Start Here' Creative Challenge, where a sample was provided and you had 12 hours to submit a 90 second piece of music using it.

My Non-Entry

Well, for me the timing wasn't good (PST is awkward in Europe), and so what with one thing and another I didn't get my piece finished in time, so I have put it on SoundCloud instead. I used only the sample provided, and I used a lot of stuff from my MaxForLive devices as found on this blog and available from maxforlive.com. Overall, it took me about 90 minutes to create. I could have spent more time (the original challenge allowed 12 hours in total), but since I had already missed the deadline...

There's a lot of sample manipulation of the basic sample, taking my research on residuals and using it to do unusual things to the timbre. I also used flams (OK, reverse flams, as a Facebook person corrected me recently) on short sample fragments (there's a point where flams and granular cross over...), and my usual Auto-Pan and reversing of audio. Basically, everything I do, I did, which explains why I ran out of time - although the visualisation running in my head was a major distraction. (You will see what I mean when you hear the track!)

Given the title of the original sample: 'Snow' then I was particularly pleased at the crunchy 'snow' sounds that I managed to produce. Again, it helps to have the context - so imagine what the two words: 'Snow' and 'Chase' suggest to you...

Flora tweeted: "@Ableton asked me to create a sample loop to be used by producers for their Loop challenge - v interesting to hear ppl’s reworks:"SoundCloud: floraytw

Lots of interesting tracks and a live set from Boiler Room. Granular, Paulstretch, mixes of real and digital, and fascinating textures a-plenty. I can understand exactly why Ableton asked her to provide the sample!